In this extraordinary time, we are invited to pray. For peace. For strength. For God to simply dwell within us and others. Praise and prayer are the most powerful weapons in the battle against darkness. The following is a special time of scripture, singing and lifting our requests to God – a Holy offering to God as we invite the Holy Spirit to intervene. It took place March 13, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Dresden, Ontario – my congregation. Here is the YouTube recording. (Unfortunately, the livestream ended inexplicably after only 39 minutes.)
“When you want to work for God, start a committee. When you want to work with God, start a prayer group.” – Corrie Ten Boom
The service followed a specific order. After words of welcome and orientation, we immediately offered a confession of sin and heard an assurance of pardon. This is essential, as we need to come clean prior to offering praise and prayer. The prayers were raised in five sections, each with a theme. Each part had a brief verbal introduction, followed by pertinent scripture, a time of prayer led by the pastor followed by a minute of silence in which congregants could lift their own prayers or simply be still in the presence of God.
“This will not be a time to rant. We will not mention the names of any individuals for the simple reasons that only God knows who is striving to be in his will. We can judge, but we cannot condemn.”
The following is the service outline we used. It is only a guide. The hope is that it will be tailored to your setting. May this be a blessing.
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Words of welcome – host or pastor
- We live in an extraordinary time with many threats to our well being and peace: anxiety and uncertainty are widespread. We are not in a good place.
- Among the triggers: the rise of artificial intelligence, war in Gaza and Ukraine, generational famine in parts of Africa, mental health in general, threats to our nation’s economy and sovereignty – and homelessness.
- There’s a quote by Corrie Ten Boom which sums up what we are doing. Corrie was the Dutch resistance leader in the Second World War who spent time in a concentration camp after the Nazis found that her family had been providing refuge for Jews. She said: “When you want to work for God, start a committee. When you want to work with God, start a prayer group.”
- We offer no solutions. Rather, we give it all over to God, who knows our needs. This will not be a time of pointing fingers. This will not be a time to rant. We will not mention the names of any individuals for the simple reasons that only God knows who is striving to be in his will. We can judge, but we cannot condemn. Our time together will include singing, scripture and prayer divided into different sections, depending on the issue.
- After the prayer leader has offered a prayer, there will be a minute of silence for you to offer your own prayers. There is power in being still before God.
- Before we do anything else, let us come clean and declare our sinful nature and ask for forgiveness. Only then can we approach the Kingdom and invite God’s hands to work.
Confession and assurance – we used a responsive reading
Scripture
- Psalm 100
Sing – Be Still for the presence of the Lord
Prayer Part 1 – What is prayer?
Prayer points:
- The Westminster Larger Catechism answers that question by saying “Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.”
- May God’s people to be able to pray in righteousness and faith, to help us in our unbelief
Scriptures:
- James 5:16
- Matthew 17:20
Unscripted Prayer – pastor or leader
Minute of silence for personal prayer
Sing – 324 Great is Thy faithfulness
Prayer Part 2 – against extreme poverty
Prayer points:
- Jesus said the poor will be among us. So we do not ask for the elimination of poverty. All we ask is that people simply have enough in which to live.
- Untold millions of people have died for want of food, clean water and shelter over the ages. And hundreds of millions remain at risk today. The United Nations estimates that 300 million people around the world are currently in urgent need of assistance across northern Africa.
Scripture
- Matthew 25:31-46
Unscripted Prayer – pastor or leader
Minute of silence for personal prayer
Sing – Ancient of Days
Prayer Part 3 – Mental health
Prayer points:
- This is a significant issue around the world but especially in the West.
- No one is dying of starvation in North America but many are dying inside, tormented by inner conflict, traumatic memories.
- Many are burdened by depression, anxiety, anger and a loss of hope. Some take their own lives.
- Many look for peace and escape and become addicted to substances.
Scripture
- Matthew 11:28-30
Unscripted Prayer – pastor or leader
Minute of silence for personal prayer
Sing – 746 What a friend we have in Jesus
Prayer Part 4 – for the nations
Prayer points:
- Our status as a sovereign nation has been challenged by our closest neighbour and trading partner, with whom we share a largely undefended border. A trade war has been launched. Anxiety and uncertainty abound.
- Canada’s new Prime Minister and cabinet
- Trade war and economic fallout
- Deep division in the U.S.
- Ukraine and the latest attempt to broker peace.
- Gaza – which has killed 48,000 Palestinians and more than 1,700 Israelis – continues despite attempts at a ceasefire. The scale and pace of destruction and damage of buildings in the Gaza Strip ranks among the severest in modern history, surpassing the bombing of cities in Germany and England combined during the Second World War.
Scripture
- Psalm 46
Unscripted Prayer – pastor or leader
Minute of silence for personal prayer
Sing – 740 Make me a channel of your peace
Prayer Part 5 – for God’s will to be done
Prayer points:
- Temptation to act first, pray second
- For freedom to prevail in times of trouble.
- Discernment of truth. For those with the spiritual gift of discernment, grant them extraordinary powers in an extraordinary time.
- For needs and issues we know nothing about. . . .
Scripture – Psalm 91
Unscripted Prayer – pastor or leader
Minute of silence for personal prayer
The Lord’s Prayer – said by all
Sing – Holy Spirit Living Breath of God
Benediction – Ephesians 3:20-21
